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Friday, September 30, 2016

The Regina Thunder (3-3) look to snap a two game slide when they host the Saskatoon Hilltops (5-1) on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium. The Thunder have been off since September 17th when they lost in Medicine Hat to the Calgary Colts 15-12. The Hilltops beat the Okanagan Sun in an interleague game on the 17th, 58-2. Saskatoon won the first meeting of the season with Regina on September 10th, 20-18. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Saturday.

THUNDER OFFENCE - Regina has scored 163 points in their first six games, 4th best in the PFC. QB Sawyer Buettner leads the league in passing yards with 1784, has thrown 9 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Kristiane Desautels leads the Thunder with 432 receiving yards, that's just four yards behind the league lead. Deasutels has caught three touchdowns which is also second in the PFC. RB Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette is number one in rush yards with 585 and is tied for first with 6 touchdowns scored. The Thunder have turned the ball over 15 times, second least in the league. 8 on interceptions, 4 on fumbles and 3 times on downs.

HILLTOPS OFFENCE - Saskatoon has scored a league high 227 points through six games on the season. QB Jared Andreychuk is 4th in passing yard with 1056, he has thrown 10 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions. Sam Mike leads the club with 315 receiving yards, 6th most in the league, and has caught two touchdowns. RB Logan Fischer is 5th in rushing yards with 443 and has scored 5 times. Saskatoon has turned the ball over 18 times this year, 8 on interceptions, 8 on fumbles and twice on downs.THUNDER DEFENCE - Regina has given up the third least points in the league through the first six games at 112. Marcus Hall is tied for 5th in tackles with 23 and has 5 assisted take downs. Polis Koko is tied for the league lead with three interceptions to go along with 15 tackles and a forced fumble. Matthew Williams is tied second with 3.5 sacks, he also has a fumble recovery and 8 tackles on the year. The Thunder have forced a league low 10 turnovers, 4 on interceptions, 1 fumble recovery and 5 on downs.HILLTOPS DEFENCE - Saskatoon has given up the second least points so far this year at 105. Cameron Schnitzler is second in the league with 31 tackles, he also has a sack and two forced fumbles. Five defenders have an interception each this year, Logan Bitz, Logan Kelsey-Stern, Ben Solie, Spencer Anderson and James Vause. Blake Herman meanwhile leads the PFC with four sacks and has a fumble recovery and 15 tackles. The Hilltops have forced 22 turnovers on the year, 5 on interceptions, 8 fumble recoveries and 9 on downs.

THUNDER SPECIAL TEAMS - Kristiane Desautels leads the PFC in punt return yards with 264 and also has 67 on kickoff returns. Tyler Haubrich leads the team with 178 yards on kickoff returns, that's 4th best in the league. Quinten Ruckaber has punted 15 times for a 37.6 yard average, the 4th best in the league. Ruckaber has yet to attempt a field goal since replacing the injured Kris Calcutt but has made all 6 extra point attempts.

HILLTOPS SPECIAL TEAMS - Josh Ewanchyna leads the team with 97 yards on punt returns, Adam Machart has 94 and Liam Murphy 87. Murphy also leads the team with 90 yards in kickoff returns. Nikolas Hunchak has punted 21 times for a 37.1 yard average, 5th best, while James Vause has made 6 of 8 field goals attempted.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Happy Wednesday Everybody!PATS GET FIRST WIN - The Pats got two goals and an assist in Prince Albert on Saturday night and beat the Raiders 4-2 to improve to 1-0-1-0 on the year. The Pats took a 1-0 lead midway through the first only to see the Raiders score two unanswered to go up 2-1. The Pats powerplay drew them even on Lane Zablocki’s first of the year and then Braydon Buziak gave the Pats the 3-2 on a tip. In the 3rd the Pats held off the Raiders and then Jake Leschyshyn scored into an empty net to make it 4-2 and that was the final score. The Pats kick off a five game home stand on Friday when they host the Edmonton Oil Kings at 7 o'clock. The club will then host the Red Deer Rebels on Sunday at 4 p.m.BUCKING THE TREND - The Pats are off to their best start in five years after picking up three of four points on opening weekend. In 2015/16 the club won one game against Moose Jaw but in the three previous years came up empty, going 0-2-0-0. You have to go back to 2011/12 to find a better opening weekend when the Pats went two and oh against the Swift Current Broncos. In the last 10 years, only two times did the Pats pick up four points in their first two games.BUZIAK DOES IT AGAIN - Pats forward Braydon Buziak is off to a great start to his WHL career. The 18-year-old from Battleford Saskatchewan has goals in each of his first two games in the league. On Friday last week he scored the game tying goal in the 3rd to force overtime against the Raiders and then scored the eventual game winner the next night in Prince Albert. It's always good to see guys like Braydon succeed. And he is pretty excited about it to: http://reginapats.com/video/10217-2

HOBBS MAKES NHL PRE-SEASON DEBUT - Pats defenceman Connor Hobbs was in the lineup last night for the Washington Capitals in Montreal against the Canadiens. Hobbs logged 23 minutes of ice time, 7 shifts on the PP and 4 on the PK, recorded 1 assist, was -1 and had 2 hits. He also took a dirty hit from behind from Andrew Shaw which led to a fight. Luckily Hobbs stayed in the game. He remains with the NHL club today and it remains to be seen when he will come back to Regina. ZBOROVSKIY REASSIGNED -The NHL’s New York Rangers have assigned defenceman Sergey Zborovskiy back to the Regina Pats.Zborovskiy is a signed prospect of the Rangers and was selected in the third round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.The Moscow, Russia product, scored eight goals and added 17 assists in 2015/16 and is entering his 19-year-old season. Four Pats remain at NHL training camps. Adam Brooks (TOR), Austin Wagner (LAK), Connor Hobbs (WSH) and Sam Steel (ANA). We will have to wait and seee how many more make their way back to Regina ahead of Friday.

SILVERTIPS ADD EUROPEAN - The Everett Silvertips announced the team has acquired forward Dominic Zwerger from the Spokane Chiefs in exchange for a third round selection in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft. The Silvertips also placed Mario Mucka on waivers. Zwerger, 20, was originally selected by Spokane in the second round of the 2013 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft, and last season led Spokane in goals (27), was second in points (55), third in power play points (14), and tied for third in game winning goals (3) while suiting up in 65 games. He earned 15 multi point games and added four points (1g-3a) in six playoff games. For his WHL career, he has suited up in 189 career games while tallying 119 points (60g-59a) and a +22 rating.nMucka earned an assist in one WHL game. The Silvertips roster still contains two import players, Zwerger and forward Eetu Tuulola (Finland).GIANTS ACQUIRE RATTIE FROM RED DEER - The Vancouver Giants announced on Friday that the hockey club has acquired 1998-born winger Taden Rattie from the Red Deer Rebels in exchange for a sixth round WHL Bantam Draft pick in 2017. Rattie, who hails from Airdrie, Alberta, is listed at 6’4” and 191 lbs. The 18-year-old played 25 games for the Rebels in 2015/16, scoring one goal along the way. He is the younger brother of former Portland Winterhawk standout Ty Rattie.That's all I've got for today, have a great week!Phil@Phil_Andrews_

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

HERE WE GO! - The long wait is over, after eight pre-season games, the Pats open the regular season at home to the Prince Albert Raiders on Friday at the Brandt Centre. There has been a lot of hype around this team all off-season long and Friday, the club will look to begin what they hope will be a great year. Hope to see you Friday night!

AHL RETURNS - The Pats got one of their six guys gone to NHL camps back on Tuesday. Filip Ahl returned after rookie camp with the Ottawa Senators. He played in all three of the teams rookie games on the weekend but now sets his sights on his WHL debut Friday night. The 19-year-old is hoping to be a big contributor this season and once Sam Steel gets back from Anaheim Ducks camp Ahl will likely play on his wing. He met with the media yesterday: http://reginapats.com/video/filip-ahl-returns-from-ottawa-senators-campOTHER NHL GUYS - It is unlikely the Pats will get anyone else back for Friday's home opener, though crazier things have happened. Sam Steel, Adam Brooks, Austin Wagner, Connor Hobbs and Sergey Zborovskiy will all likely be taken forward to main camp with their NHL clubs. The Ducks have already announced that Steel is being taken forward, no surprise for a first round pick. Here is a pretty cool picture of former Pat Cole Sanford being chased by Sam Steel in a rookie game between the Colorado Avalanche and Anaheim Ducks.

PATS REASSIGN THREE - The Pats trimmed their roster to 28 players this week reassigning forward Riley Krane to the Cariboo Cougars of the BCMML, goalie Kurtis Chapman to the Estevan Bruins of the SJHL and forward Cole Muir to the Yellowhead Chiefs of the MMHL. There are currently 18 forwards, 10 defencemen and 2 goalies remaining with the team.BLADES ACQUIRE GOALIE -Seattle Thunderbirds general manager Russ Farwell announced the team has acquired defenseman Anthony Bishop from the Saskatoon Blades in exchange for goalie Logan Flodell. Bishop has played five preseason games this season and has four assists. Bishop played 40 games in his rookie season last year with the Blades. He had two assists and 21 penalty minutes. Last season Flodell was 22-13-4-0 with three shutouts in 42 games. He had a save percentage of .904 and a goals against average of 2.68. In 54 games over three seasons with the T-Birds Flodell was 26-17-4-1 with a .899 save percentage, a 2.84 goals against average and three shutouts.ANOTHER GOALIE TRADE - The Seattle Thunderbirds announced Friday the team has acquired goalie Rylan Toth from the Red Deer Rebels in exchange for a third round selection in the 2017 Bantam Draft. Last season Toth appeared in 44 games for the Rebels and had a 26-15-0-1 record with a .912 save percentage, a 2.67 goals against average and five shutouts. In nine playoff games for the Rebels Toth had a 3-5-1 record with a .905 save percentage and 3.15 goals against average. Toth was the Rebels goaltender for all four of their games at the MasterCard Memorial Cup last year. He finished the tournament with a 2-2-0 record, a .901 save percentage and a 2.99 goals against average.
Toth has appeared in 101 games with Red Deer over two seasons and has a 54-33-4-6 career record with six shutouts. His career save percentage is .908 and his career goals against average is 2.75.
Toth is 20-years old and joins centers Scott Eansor and Cavin Leth as the three 20-year olds on the T-Birds roster.

RAIDERS AND T-BIRDS SWAP FORWARDS - The Prince Albert Raiders completed a trade with the Seattle Thunderbirds on Thursday afternoon. The Raiders acquired 1997-born left winger Nic Holowko from the Thunderbirds in exchange for 1997-born forward Layne Bensmiller and a conditional draft pick in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft. Holowko, a product of Burnaby, BC, joined the Thunderbirds for the 2014-15 season. In two years in Seattle, he picked up 12 goals and 21 assists in 33 games. During the Thunderbirds run to the WHL Championship, he contributed two goals and four assists in 18 contests.HURRICANES/WINTERHAWKS TRADE - The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club announced Wednesday that they have acquired forward Tanner Nagel from the Portland Winterhawks in exchange for the WHL playing rights to goaltender Shane Farkas. Nagel, 18, hails from Mossbank, Saskatchewan. The right-handed winger appeared in 38 games during the 2015-2016 season with the Winterhawks tallying one goal and 32 penalty minutes. He also dressed in 23 games last season with the Battlefords North Stars of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (Junior-A) where he registered seven points (6g-1a) along with 21 penalty minutes. Farkas, 17, was drafted in the fourth round (67th overall) in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft by the Hurricanes. The unsigned netminder spent the 2015-2016 season with the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Canadian Sport School Hockey League where he posted a 2.56 goals against average and a .922 save percentage. He is currently with the West Kelowna Warriors of the British Columbia Hockey League (Junior-A).

HURRICANES ACQUIRE NETMINDER - The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club announced Tuesday that they have acquired goaltender Ryan Gilchrist from the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for a conditional seventh round draft pick in the 2017 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft. Gilchrist, 18, is a product of McLaughlin, Alberta. The undrafted netminder appeared in three games in the pre-season with the T-birds posting a 1-0-0-0 record along with a 3.51 goals against average and a .875 save percentage. The 6’4”, 188-pound puck-stopper spent the 2015-2016 season with the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Canmore Eagles where he appeared in 22 regular season games posting a 9-8-2-0 record with a 3.77 goals against average and a .888 save percentage. Kegler, 19, appeared in two games for the Hurricanes in the ENMAX Pre-Season posting a 1-1-0-0 record with a 4.50 goals against average and a .873 save percentage.THUNDER FALL IN MEDICINE HAT - he Regina Thunder fell to 3-3 on the season Saturday night in Medicine Hat with a 15-12 loss to the still unbeaten Calgary Colts who improved to 5-0. The first quarter scoring summary was just two singles for the Calgary Colts who led 2-0. The defensive battle continued into the second stanza and it wasn't until 30 seconds were left in the half that the Colts scored a touchdown to make it 8-0 and that was the score at the break. In the third the Colts added a field goal and it was 11-0. The Thunder got their first points with 1:33 left in the quarter on a high snap that was kicked out the back of the endzone for a safety and it was 11-2 after 3. In the final frame the Colts added another single to go up 12-2. The teams traded field goals after that to bring the score to 15-5 Calgary. Regina scored their first and only touchdown of the game on a Sawyer Buettner toss to Levi Paul to bring the Thunder within 3 and 15-12. Regina got the ball back late and a hail mary on the final play was caught by Kristiane Desautels at the one yard line but he was stopped short and the Colts hung on to win 15-12 the final. Sawyer Buettner finished the game with 404 yards passing. The Thunder carry a 3-3 record into their bye week. They return to action on October 1st at home to the Saskatoon Hilltops at Mosaic Stadium.

Saturday, September 17, 2016

The Regina Thunder fell to 3-3 on the season Saturday night in Medicine Hat with a 15-12 loss to the still unbeaten Calgary Colts who improved to 5-0.

The first quarter scoring summary was just two singles for the Calgary Colts who led 2-0. The defensive battle continued into the second stanza and it wasn't until 30 seconds were left in the half that the Colts scored a touchdown to make it 8-0 and that was the score at the break.

In the third the Colts added a field goal and it was 11-0. The Thunder got their first points with 1:33 left in the quarter on a high snap that was kicked out the back of the endzone for a safety and it was 11-2 after 3.

In the final frame the Colts added another single to go up 12-2. The teams traded field goals after that to bring the score to 15-5 Calgary. Regina scored their first and only touchdown of the game on a Sawyer Buettner toss to Levi Paul to bring the Thunder within 3 and 15-12. Regina got the ball back late and a hail mary on the final play was caught by Kristiane Desautels at the one yard line but he was stopped short and the Colts hung on to win 15-12 the final. Sawyer Buettner finished the game with 404 yards passing.

The Thunder carry a 3-3 record into their bye week. They return to action on October 1st at home to the Saskatoon Hilltops at Mosaic Stadium.

In the first period the Wheat Kings went to two early powerplays but the Pats killed them off and then went to a man advantage of their own but did not capitilize. The game stayed scoreless until the final 20 seconds. First Stelio Mattheos made it 1-0 Wheat Kings on a great snap shot from the left circle at 19:42. Then with 1 second left Tak Anholt tipped one in from Ty Lewis and Jordan Wharrie at 19:59 and it was 2-0 Brandon after 20 minutes. The Wheat Kings outshot the Pats 10-7 in the period.

In the second the Pats got on the board at 4:20 on a wraparound for Robbie Holmes. His first of the pre-season from Riley Woods and Rykr Cole and it was 2-1 Brandon. The Wheat Kings got that one back at 8:32 when Duncan Campbell scored on a breakaway unassisted to make it 3-1. Then at 13:00 Ty Lewis scored on a beauty move to the back hand unassisted as well and it was 4-1 Brandon. The Pats went to their third powerplay of the contest late in the period and got back to within 2. Nick Henry scored his team leading 4th of the pre-season on a rebound with assists to Dawson Leedahl and Chase Harrison at 16:56 and it was 4-2. That was the score after 40 minutes, the Pats outshot the Wheat Kings 11-7 in the period and 18-17 overall.

In the third the Pats powerplay scored twice in a row to tie the game. First Braydon Buziak tipped home his 2nd at 4:07 with assists to Chase Harrison and Jared Freadrich to make it 4-3. Then at 12:34 Nick Henry finished off a beautiful passing play with Jake Leschyshyn and Dawson Leedahl and it was a 4-4 tie. The Wheat Kings picked up a powerplay with 5 minutes left and took the lead back. James Shearer beat a screened Tyler Brown short side at 16:01 to make it 5-4 and then Daniel Bukac scored into an empty net in the final minute to seal the Brandon victory, 6-4 the final. The Pats outshot the Wheat Kings 12-10 in the period and 30-27 overall.

The Pats powerplay was 3 for 6 in the loss while the penalty kill was 3 for 4.

The Pats kick off the regular season on Friday in their home opener against the Prince Albert Raiders at the Brandt Centre at 7 p.m.

KENT, September 17, 2016 - Seattle Thunderbirds general manager Russ Farwell this morning announced the team has acquired defenseman Anthony Bishop from the Saskatoon Blades in exchange for goalie Logan Flodell.

Bishop has played five preseason games this season and has four assists. Bishop played 40 games in his rookie season last year with the Blades. He had two assists and 21 penalty minutes.

"Anthony missed some time due to injury last year but we think he can fill our need for depth on defense," said Farwell. "He is a puck moving defenseman who also plays with some bite to his game which is always welcome."

"We wanted to find a good opportunity for Logan Flodell and with the issue that developed with Jared Pelechaty's health we were left with a big hole on our defense. This move accomplished both of those objectives."

Last season Flodell was 22-13-4-0 with three shutouts in 42 games. He had a save percentage of .904 and a goals against average of 2.68. In 54 games over three seasons with the T-Birds Flodell was 26-17-4-1 with a .899 save percentage, a 2.84 goals against average and three shutouts.

The T-Birds will conclude their preseason schedule against the Everett Silvertips on Saturday at 7:05pm in Everett.

In the first period the Pats went to an early powerplay but the Wheat Kings were able to score shorthanded. Connor Gutenberg stole a pass at his own blue line and then buried glove side on the breakaway at 5:48 and it was 1-0 Brandon. The Wheat Kings took a second penalty after that and up two men the Pats tied it up at 6:42. Dawson Leedahl finished from point blank range for his 1st as a Pat from Chase Harrison and Nick Henry and it was 1-1. It stayed that way until late in the period when the Pats went to their 5th man advantage of the frame. Jake Leschyshyn connected with Dawson Leedahl who fed Chase Harrison back door and he scored his 3rd of the pre-season at 18:43 to give Regina the 2-1 lead and that was the score through 20 minutes. The Pats outshot Brandon 11-9 in the period.

In the second the Pats killed off an early powerplay and then the game tightened up. Regina switched goaltenders at 12:29, Tyler Brown stopped 13 of 14 shots faced and gave way to Jordan Hollett. The game stayed 2-1 to the end of the period and with the Pats leading on the shot clock 12-8 in the period and 23-17 overall.

In the final period the Pats took three penalties and on the third the Wheat Kings tied it up. Connor Gutenberg banged in a rebound for his second of the night at 15:51. Provorov and Lewis the assists and it was 2-2, that was the score through regulation. The Wheat Kings outshot the Pats 18-8 in the period and led 35-31 overall.

Overtime solved nothing and in the shootout the Wheat Kings got goals from Ivan Provorov and Ty Lewis to win 3-2.

The Pats and Wheat Kings wrap up the pre-season Saturday night at the Co-operators Arena at 7 o'clock on 620ckrm.com.

The Regina Thunder (3-2) head to Medicine Hat on Saturday for their week 6 matchup with the first place Calgary Colts (4-0). The Thunder are coming off a 20-18 loss in Saskatoon on Saturday to the Hilltops while the Colts were on a bye. Calgary was last in action on September 3rd when they beat the Edmonton Wildcats 43-4. Kickoff is at 7 o'clock from Medicine Hat Saturday.

THUNDER OFFENCE - Regina has scored 151 points in their first 5 games, second most in the PFC. Quarterback Sawyer Buettner leads the league with 1380 passing yards and with a 67.6 % completion percentage. Buettner has thrown 8 touchdowns (2nd most) and 6 interceptions. In week 5 against Saskatoon, Buettner set a CJFL record with 43 completions as a part of a 442 yard passing night. Kris Calcutt who missed last week with injury still leads the PFC in receiving yards with 350 and has 3 touchdowns. Kristiane Desautels has put up 245 yards (5th most) and has 3 majors. RB Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette leads the PFC with 583 rush yards and a league leading 6 touchdowns. The Tunder have turned the ball over 11 times this season, 6 on interceptions, three times on fumbles and twice on downs.

COLTS OFFENCE - Calgary has put up 138 points in four games, 3rd most in the PFC. QB Bailey Wasdal is 5th in passing yards with 783 and has 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Richard Sindani is 3rd in receiving yards with 286 and has caught two majors. RB Xavier Ramsay has accumulated 405 rushing yards this season, 4th most, and has scored 5 touchdowns. Teammate Dylan Minshull has 302 yards along the ground which is 5th in the PFC and has scored once. Calgary has turned the ball over 6 times this season, 4 on interceptions and twice on fumbles.

THUNDER DEFENCE - The Thunder have given up the second least points through five weeks at 97. Marcus Hall is tied for 2nd in tackles in the PFC with 18, he has added 4 assisted take downs and a blocked kick. LB Paul Toth and DB Polis Koko are next on the team with 15 tackles each. Koko is tied for the league lead with 3 interceptions and also has a forced fumble. Matt Williams is second in sacks in the league with 3.5 and has a fumble recovery. In total the Thunder have forced 8 turnovers, 3 on interceptions, 1 on a fumble and 4 on downs.

COLTS DEFENCE - Calgary has given up a league low 45 points through four games this season. Colton Burr leads the team with 17 tackles (T-4th in PFC) and is tied for the league lead in interceptions with 3 and has 1 fumble recovery. Ankamah Kendrick, Dylan Niedermaier and Austin Daisey are next on the club with 12 tackles each. Niedermaier also has 2 interceptions while Daisey has a fumble recovery. Christopher Peet-Schwartz leads the club with 2 sacks (T-3rd) while Justin Keys and Michael Bright each have 1. The Colts have forced a league leading 22 turnovers, 12 on interceptions, 5 on fumbles and 5 on downs.

THUNDER SPECIAL TEAMS - Kristiane Desautels leads the PFC with 228 yards on punt returns and has another 58 on kickoffs. Tyson Haubrich leads the club with 178 kickoff return yards and has 26 on punts. Quinton Ruckaber replaced the injured Kris Calcutt last week and punted 6 times for a 36.5 yard average and James Reid made 1 of 2 fields goals attempted against Saskatoon, he is 1 for 3 on the year.

COLTS SPECIAL TEAMS - Richard Sindani leads the team with 80 yards in punt returns, that is 5th best in the PFC. he also leads the Cots in kickoff return yards with 99. Jesse Kuntz has recorded 98 yards in kickoff returns and has 55 more yards on punt returns.

Thursday, September 15, 2016

The Raiders acquired 1997-born left winger Nic Holowko from the Thunderbirds in exchange for 1997-born forward Layne Bensmiller and a conditional draft pick in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft.

Holowko, a product of Burnaby, BC, joined the Thunderbirds for the 2014-15 season. In two years in Seattle, he picked up 12 goals and 21 assists in 33 games. During the Thunderbirds run to the WHL Championship, he contributed two goals and four assists in 18 contests.

“Nic adds size and speed to our lineup, as well as valuable experience,” said Raiders general manager Curtis Hunt. “We’re excited to add him in and get him acclimated to our team.”

The Raiders home opener is on Saturday, September 24 against the Regina Pats. Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. Puck drop is 7 p.m. For tickets, visit the Raider Office or raiderhockey.com.

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club announced Wednesday that they have acquired forward Tanner Nagel from the Portland Winterhawks in exchange for the WHL playing rights to goaltender Shane Farkas.

Nagel, 18, hails from Mossbank, Saskatchewan. The right-handed winger appeared in 38 games during the 2015-2016 season with the Winterhawks tallying one goal and 32 penalty minutes. He also dressed in 23 games last season with the Battlefords North Stars of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (Junior-A) where he registered seven points (6g-1a) along with 21 penalty minutes.

The 6’0”, 192-pound forward was undrafted in the WHL Bantam Draft. He spent the 2014-2015 season with the Tisdale Trojans of the Saskactchewan Midget AAA Hockey League where in 43 games he had 42 points (12g-30a) along with 69 penalty minutes.

Farkas, 17, was drafted in the fourth round (67th overall) in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft by the Hurricanes. The unsigned netminder spent the 2015-2016 season with the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Canadian Sport School Hockey League where he posted a 2.56 goals against average and a .922 save percentage. He is currently with the West Kelowna Warriors of the British Columbia Hockey League (Junior-A).

The Hurricanes wrap up their 2016 ENMAX Pre-Season schedule Thursday and Friday with games in Crowsnest Pass. They will kick off their 30th Anniversary Season on Friday, September 23rd when they welcome the Medicine Hat Tigers to the ENMAX Centre for the Dairy Queen Home Opener. Individual game tickets are now on sale by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre or by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328).

Catch up on all the latest on the Lethbridge Hurricanes by visiting the team’s website at www.lethbridgehurricanes.com, and/or follow on Twitter @WHLHurricanes.

Calgary, AB – The Western Hockey League is proud to announce that 139 WHL players have been invited to attend NHL training camps in September. All of the 139 players attending NHL camps are eligible to return to the WHL for the 2016-17 season.

Of the 139 WHL players set to attend NHL training camps, 91 were selected in the NHL Draft or are free agent signees and 48 are free agent invitees or are eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft.

All 22 WHL Clubs will send at least one player to an NHL training camp. The Red Deer Rebels boast an impressive 12 players who will attend NHL camps, which is the most of any WHL Club. In addition, the Calgary Hitmen and Kelowna Rockets will each send 10 players to NHL camps while the Kamloops Blazers will see nine players attend NHL training camps.

The following is a list of WHL players, by team, who will attend NHL training camps for the 2016-17 season:

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

The Regina Pats and Brandon Wheat Kings met in an exciting three on three pre-season game at the Ochapowace First Nation on Wednesday afternoon. Jordan Hollett started in goal for the Pats while Logan Thompson got the nod for Brandon. The Wheat Kings used a 7 goal second period to win the 40 minute game 10-3. Hollett gave up 3 for the Pats, Kurtis Chapman the others.

The Wheat Kings got off to a fast start in this one. First Ty Lewis set up Jaeger White for the 1-0 goal 52 seconds in and then Ty Lewis took a Jaeger White feed and buried at 6:21 and it was 2-0 Wheat Kings. The Pats got one back on the powerplay from Jake Leschyshyn at 9:17 after a nice passing play with Nick Henry and Chase Harrison to make it 2-1. Then 2 minutes later Braydon Buziak ripped a snap shot into the top corner on the short side from the right circle to tie the game 2-2. Riley Bruce the lone assist at 11:22. It stayed that way until with 0.6 seconds left in the period Duncan Campbell beat Jordan Hollett with a point shot pot and in with assists to Caiden Daley and Stelio Mattheos and it was 3-2 after 20 minutes.

In thee second and final period Kurtis Chapman took over the Pats goal and the Wheat Kings stuck with Thompson. Brandon scored just 40 seconds in thanks to Stelio Mattheos to make it 4-2. Ivan Provorov the lone assist. Then at 2:53 Provorov set up James Shearer on the powerplay and it was 5-2. The Pats went to the powerplay after that but just as it expired Garrett Sambrook scored for Brandon. Assists to Connor Gutenberg and Schael Higson at 5:38 and it was 6-2. Brandon went to their third powerplay of the contest and at 6:38 scored again. Ivan Provorov a seeing eye shot top corner glove side made it 7-2. Assist to James Shearer. The Wheat Kings kept pouring on and got goals from Danial Bukac at 8:26 and Duncan Campbell (SH) at 10:35 and it was a 9-2 contest. The Pats got one back at 16:08 on the powerplay, Chase Harrison got a knuckle put to go top corner form the point and it was 9-3. Assists to Rykr Cole and Erik Gardiner. Just over a minute later the Wheat Kings scored their 10th of the game at 17:12. Caiden Daley on a breakaway unassisted to make it 10-3 and that was the final score.

The Pats were 2 for 4 on the powerplay and 1 for 3 on the penalty kill.

The Pats are back in action on Friday in Brandon against the Wheat Kings at 6:30 on 620 CKRM.

DOWN SIX - The Regina Pats have 6 players gone to NHL training camps this week. Sam Steel (Anaheim Ducks), Adam Brooks (Toronto Maple Leafs), Connor Hobbs (Washington Capitals), Austin Wagner (Los Angeles Kings), Sergey Zborovskiy (New York Rangers) and Filip Ahl (Ottawa Senators) will miss the final week of the pre-season and then it's anyone's guess as to when they will start returning. Zborovskiy and Hobbs could be gone the longest because they are signed prospects. With the World Cup of Hockey, guys will likely stay with their NHL clubs a little longer than on a normal year just because all of the best players in the world are competing and won't be in camp. At any rate, the Pats are going to have to rely on the guys still here for the beginning of the season. And I don't say that negatively. Forwards Dawson Leedahl, Lane Zablocki, Jake Leschyshyn, Rykr Cole and Nick Henry are still here. Chase Harrison, James Hilsendager, Jared Freadrich and Liam Schioler were all with the team last year. The Pats wrap up the pre-season this weekend in a home and home with the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday and Saturday.

OCHAPOWACE GAME - The Regina Pats and Brandon Wheat Kings will meet in a special Wednesday matinee, pre-season game on the Ochapowace First Nation. The game takes place this Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at the Chief Denton George Memorial Multiplex. The puck drops at 1:30 p.m. The teams will play a modified format of two, 20-minute periods of three-on-three hockey. Normal rules and timing will apply.

“This will be a special day for everyone involved,” said Regina Pats Head Coach and GM John Paddock. “People from the area get the chance to see high calibre, fast pace three-on-three hockey and our players get the chance to share in the First Nations culture.”

Prior to the start of the game, members of the Regina Pats, including James Hilsendager and Chase Harrison will do a Project 1st Goal presentation to students from the Ochapowace area. Project 1st Goal is a partnership between the WHL and RCMP where current players receive training to give presentations regarding illegal drug use and making healthy life choices.

The day concludes with a feast put on by the community for both teams.

"Ochapowace First Nation is proud to host this event with the Regina Pats," said Ochapowace Nation Councillor Tim Bear. “We want to thank the Regina Pats and Brandon Wheat Kings for bringing this game out to our community. We welcome all hockey fans from our area to attend the game on Wednesday, September 14.”

The Ochapowace First Nation is approximately two hours east of Regina, along the Trans-Canada Highway, north of Whitewood, SK.

ROYALS ACQUIRE REGINA PRODUCT - The Victoria Royals announced that the club has acquired 20-year-old forward Carter Folk from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft.A native of Regina, SK, Folk comes to Victoria after recording 31 points (10g-21a) and 77 penalty minutes in 66 games for the Hurricanes last season. Folk has played in 178 career WHL regular season games with Lethbridge (2013-16) and the Seattle Thunderbirds (2013-14) and has registered 61 points (26g-35a) to go along with 289 minutes in penalties.

GIANTS/HURRICANES TRADE - The Vancouver Giants announced on Monday that the hockey club has traded 1997-born defenceman Brennan Menell to the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for 1997-born blue liner Darian Skeoch and a fourth round pick in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft. Skeoch, who hails from New Liskeard, Ontario, played 59 games for the Hurricanes in 2015/16, amassing 7 points and 106 penalty minutes. The 19-year-old rearguard is set to attend Anaheim Ducks Rookie Camp which runs from September 15-21 in California. Menell was signed by the G-Men prior to the 2014/15 campaign. Over parts of two seasons in Vancouver, the Woodbury, Minnesota native netted nine goals and 65 assists in 126 games played in a Giants uniform.

GIANTS ACQUIRE BABYCH - The Vancouver Giants announced on Friday that the hockey club has acquired 1997-born forward Cal Babych from the Prince Albert Raiders in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft. Babych, the son of former Vancouver Canuck Dave Babych, played 56 games with the Raiders during the 2015/16 season, scoring five goals and nine assists. The North Vancouver native was originally a fourth round pick of the Calgary Hitmen in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.

COUGARS ADD KHOMENKO - Prince George Cougars General Manager Todd Harkins announced that the team has added 1998-born forward Yan Khomenko (St. Petersburg, RUS) to their roster. Khomenko checks in at 6’1” and 174 pounds. He played 45 games last season with the Everett Silvertips and scored five goals while adding another four assists and 14 penalty minutes. In seven playoff games he recorded two assists. The Silvertips selected him in the second round (115th overall) in the 2015 CHL Import Draft. During the 2014-15 season, Khomenko played with Dynamo Moskva U-17 where he registered 20 goals and 10 assists in 33 games. In order to make room for Khomenko, the Cougars have released Swedish forward Axel Jonsson-Fjallby. The Cougars other import roster spot is occupied by fellow 1998-born forward Bartek Bison (Amsterdam, NED)THUNDER LOSE IN SASKATOON - The Regina Thunder dropped a tight one with their provincial rivals the Saskatoon Hilltops on Saturday night 20-18. With the win Saskatoon takes sole possession of 2nd place in the PFC at 4-1 while the Thunder sit 3rd at 3-2. Quarterback Sawyer Buettner set a CJFL record with 43 completions in the loss and recorded 442 yards passing to go along with 2 touchdowns. He was named PFC offensive player of the week and leads the league with 1380 passing yards through 5 weeks. The Thunder visit the Calgary Colts (4-0) on Saturday in Medicine Hat at 7 p.m.That's all I have for today, have a great week!

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

The CJFL is proud to announce the Players of the Week 8 of the regular season.

Offensive Players of the Week

PFC:QB Sawyer Buettner – Regina ThunderDespite the Thunder’s loss to their provincial rival, quarterback Sawyer Buettner had himself a game. He set a new CJFL record with 43 pass completions on 52 attempts, an 83% completion rate for 422 yards and threw a pair of touchdown passes.

BCFC:WR Nathaniel Pinto – Westshore RebelsThe Westshore Rebels used a strong passing attack to win their fourth straight and move into a first place tie in the BCFC. Receiver Nathaniel Pinto was instrumental in the victory making four extremely important receptions for 149 yards and a 71 yard touchdown. His final catch of the night came with the Rebels trailing and facing a third and 12 from mid-field. The 5’7 Pinto made the catch, kept the drive alive which ultimately ended with a game winning touchdown.

Defensive Players of the Week

PFC:LB Cameron Schnitzler – Saskatoon HilltopsFor the second time in three weeks Schnitzler has won this award. In the Hilltops two point win over the Thunder Schnitzler was outstanding with a game high nine tackles, three assisted stops, and forced a fumble.

BCFC:LB Isaiah Stewart – Langley RamsSaturday afternoon the Rams defence was suffocating collecting nine sacks. Linebacker Isaiah Stewart led the charge with one of those sacks to compliment his two tackles, two assisted stops and had an interception and a knockdown.

Special Teams Players of the Week

PFC:DL Connor Guillet – Saskatoon HilltopsThe Hilltops special teams unit needed to be sharp against the dangerous Thunder return team. Guillet stood out with two solo tackles and two assisted stops.

BCFC:K Kealey Heintz – Okanagan SunHeintz was outstanding kicking the ball connecting on all three of his field goal attempts including a 33 yarder. He was also perfect on both convert tries. The Sun kicker pounded nine punts, averaging 34 yards. This is the second time Heintz has been recognized as a Conference Player of the Week, after being named following his performance in Week 4.

Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats and Brandon Wheat Kings will meet in a special Wednesday matinee, pre-season game on the Ochapowace First Nation. The game takes place this Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at the Chief Denton George Memorial Multiplex. The puck drops at 1:30 p.m.

The teams will play a modified format of two, 20-minute periods of three-on-three hockey. Normal rules and timing will apply.

“This will be a special day for everyone involved,” said Regina Pats Head Coach and GM John Paddock. “People from the area get the chance to see high calibre, fast pace three-on-three hockey and our players get the chance to share in the First Nations culture.”

Prior to the start of the game, members of the Regina Pats, including James Hilsendager and Chase Harrison will do a Project 1st Goal presentation to students from the Ochapowace area. Project 1st Goal is a partnership between the WHL and RCMP where current players receive training to give presentations regarding illegal drug use and making healthy life choices.

The day concludes with a feast put on by the community for both teams.

"Ochapowace First Nation is proud to host this event with the Regina Pats," said Ochapowace Nation Councillor Tim Bear. “We want to thank the Regina Pats and Brandon Wheat Kings for bringing this game out to our community. We welcome all hockey fans from our area to attend the game on Wednesday, September 14.”

The Ochapowace First Nation is approximately two hours east of Regina, along the Trans-Canada Highway, north of Whitewood, SK.

About the Regina PatsNamed for the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats are the oldest major junior hockey franchise in the world operating from its original location. Since their founding in 1917, the Pats have won three Memorial Cup Championships and compete in the WHL’s Eastern Division. To learn more about the Pats, call 306-337-1535 or visit www.reginapats.com.